New York Times article on Scientology

[darksumomo]

Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Raised as Scientologists, Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, were recruited as teenagers to work for the elite corps of staff members who keep the Church of Scientology running, known as the Sea Organization, or Sea Org.

They signed a contract for a

Comments

[maianarisa]

The church works hard to cultivate public members - especially celebrities like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Nancy Cartwright (the voice of the cartoon scoundrel Bart Simpson) - whose money keeps it running.

I did NOT know that Bart's VA was a Scientologist. I'm...sad.

[noein9]

There were many people in Hollywood who are part of the Scientology family- not just major movie stars but lots of character actors, set design and production people as well. We're talking all walks of show business.

Having done auditing with Scientology, I can tell you this: the breathing, conscious awareness and understanding mental blocks ARE a help to people who are strivers and deal with constant rejection in the business. However, a good Yoga practice or regular prayers using the Rosary will have the same effect.

[escherichiacola]

a good Yoga practice or regular prayers using the Rosary will have the same effect.

lol

[dancesontrains]

?

[noein9]

Hee, I know, but it's true- I did try out Scientology for a few months, and lost A LOT OF MONEY- but I cannot complain about how good I did feel afterwards. But the people were starting to really, REALLY, creep me out, and I had discovered a really good Church and yoga shala at the same times, who weren't asking for billion dollars and my soul at the same time.

[azetburcaptain]

Praying never worked for me, I tried every which way. I don't like organized religion, but I'm def willing to try yoga haha.

I'm sorry you had to go through Scientology and lose so much money. :(

[noein9]

Hey! Yoga really does help in life- not just with having a limber body and better poise but also alleviating stress and helping with depression.

And you know, in the scope of things, I did not lose all that much money, honestly. I was only in for a few months before the total illogic suddenly struck me! What strikes me in SoCal is the utter desperation for a quick fix, and that is the allure.

[azetburcaptain]

Ahh yeah I actually signed up for some lessons as I need to be more limber in adult activities hehe. (I won't traumatize you, you have such a cute innocent icon)

How much did you lose? I heard of a Russian guy who lost like $200,000 and killed himself. Ugh. :(

It's all over the world, really, and it does come from American culture, the idea of a quick fix. yes.

[noein9]

Oh, I 'only' lost like a couple of thousand, so really, I did not lose all that much, to tell the truth. And I honestly thought I was going into alternative therapy, to tell you the truth. As soon as I figured out, hey, this is a cult- I was out of there.

And yay yoga for aches and pains and limberness!

[xforge]

She gave some ludicrous amount like 10 million dollars to the Church of Scientology. She's not just a scientologist, she's a freak. My moment of disappointment was when I discovered both Jenna Elfman *and* Catherine Bell are freaks too. Screw alla those idiots.

[iconnu]

iirc Danny Elfman is as well.

[yelena_r0ssini]

You recall incorrectly. Richard is, Bodhi is, Jenna is, but Danny isn't. He's an atheist.

[iconnu]

Excellent. :-D

I try to avoid watching movies/tv that involve Scientologists, b/c I don't want my money supporting Scn, even indirectly. But I love Tim Burton movies.. so I was always kind of conflicted there.

[maianarisa]

I read about that while looking up on more info on Cartwright's involvement with Scientology. I guess with the amount of money she makes, she probably can afford to do that. But still!

[roseofjuly]

Waaa - I've been watching old Simpsons seasons recently and this upsets me D: